“Gail was part of a team of lawyers who helped us save our homes. We were facing unaffordable rent increases. They were critical to our getting our homes made affordable forever.” – Tonya*, Board Member, Devenscrest Tenant Association
After an out-of-state investor purchased Devenscrest Village in Ayer, Massachusetts and announced plans to renovate units, evict residents, and double the rent, Devenscrest tenants decided to organize and fight back.
In 2021, tenants formed the Devenscrest Tenant Association (DCTA) and, in 2025, they acquired 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with support from Lawyers Clearinghouse and Access to Justice Fellow Gail Hupper.
“I thought it would be a relatively quick project,” said Gail, who worked with DCTA for over two years, drafting and rewriting bylaws, helping the organization establish its formal governance, navigating the process of becoming a tax-exempt nonprofit, and establishing ongoing DCTA operations. “I’ve become very attached to the people involved,” she said. “We’re making history here.”
The milestone came in December 2025, as the 114-unit property transferred from the New Hampshire-based investor—who had planned to increase rent and had given a third of residents eviction notices—to an affiliate of the Schochet Companies, a Braintree-based real estate investment and management firm that prioritizes affordable housing.
“Gail was part of a team of lawyers who helped us save our homes,” said Tonya*, a DCTA board member. “We were facing unaffordable rent increases. They were critical to our getting our homes made affordable forever.”
“This was a resident-driven campaign from start to finish. Gail helped the residents develop the structures and skills that they needed,” said Dick Bauer, a Clearinghouse Access to Justice Fellow and housing attorney who worked with DCTA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. “We now have 114 units of permanently affordable housing that weren’t there before.”
With its newfound tax-exempt status, DCTA can now accept tax-deductible donations, apply for grants, and explore other financing possibilities for a future tenant-led purchase of Devenscrest.
“Gail’s expertise is not the only thing that we needed and continue to need. Her personality and people skills are outstanding, and she helps us navigate difficult internal and external political difficulties,” said Tonya.
DCTA’s success is a huge step for the residents of Devenscrest and proof of the power of collaboration. Thanks to the tireless work of so many stakeholders, Devenscrest tenants have been able to secure their homes and ensure long-term stability for their families.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Thank you to the Devenscrest Tenant Association, Gail Hupper, Dick Bauer, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Northeast Legal Aid, Foley Hoag, Goulston & Storrs, the Schochet Companies, the town of Ayer, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and everyone else who contributed to this success!
